Is San Diego or St. Petersburg Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, San Diego is safer than St. Petersburg (Safety Score 38/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100,000 versus 3,081 for St. Petersburg — 32% lower. San Diego has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where San Diego has a 63% lower rate.
Note: San Diego is 5.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
San Diego — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
St. Petersburg — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
San Diego, CA
St. Petersburg, FL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | San Diego | St. Petersburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,082.4 | 3,080.8 | -998.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 412.4 | 621.9 | -209.5 |
| Murder Rate | 2.5 | 6.8 | -4.3 |
| Rape Rate | 21.4 | 43.4 | -22.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.4 | 81.5 | -4.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 310.9 | 487.9 | -177.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,670.0 | 2,458.9 | -788.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 187.4 | 209.4 | -22.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,087.1 | 2,029.8 | -942.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 395.5 | 219.6 | +175.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego or St. Petersburg safer?
San Diego is safer with a total crime rate of 2,082 per 100K vs 3,081 for St. Petersburg — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
San Diego has a violent crime rate of 412.4 per 100K while St. Petersburg has 621.9. San Diego has lower violent crime.
About San Diego, CA
San Diego, California, a major port city with a significant Hispanic population, sits on the Pacific Ocean just north of the Mexican border. Known for its mild climate and Balboa Park, it's also home to a large naval presence. With a safety score of 38/100 and a population coverage of 1,389,024, San Diego has a total crime rate of 2,082.4 per 100,000 residents.
About St. Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg, Florida, known as the "Sunshine City," boasts a vibrant arts scene and beautiful waterfront parks along Tampa Bay. It is part of the Tampa Bay Area, a major metropolitan region on Florida's Gulf Coast. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 264,999, St. Petersburg has a total crime rate of 3,080.8 per 100,000 residents.